Winter Festival, Occupy speakers, live music in Greenwood-Phinney this weekend

Holiday events are ramping up in the neighborhood. Here are a few highlights of what’s happening this weekend. Check out our Events calendar any time for more.
Beppa presents its Holiday Sale from 4-8 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at 7700 6th Ave. NW. The sale features clothing, buttons, Diane Norris jewelry, and other gift items.
Couth Buzzard Books Espresso Buono Cafe at 8310 Greenwood Ave. N. hosts Jazz First Fridays from 7:30-9:30 p.m. Friday. Kenny Mandell plays sax, flute and percussion, while Don Berman plays percussion on original and jazz standards. Free; food and drink available for purchase.
Fire Station 21’s official grand opening is from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. Come meet the Defenders of Greenwood, take a tour of the station at 7304 Greenwood Ave. N., and sit in the big red fire truck. Children’s activities and refreshments provided.
“I’m Getting Older, Let’s Talk” – Intergenerational Conversations About Aging is from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturday at the Greenwood Senior Center, 525 N. 85th St. Cost is $8 for PNA members, $12 general. “Boomer parents and their adult children can embrace the issues related to aging with confidence and clarity through honest and respectful dialogue. Join Rebecca Crichton, MA and Erika Stanley, MSW, a mother-daughter team, in this lively, interactive workshop that’s designed for family units that include at least one parent and one adult child. To register call 206-497-0875.”
On Saturday, Couth Buzzard presents “Songwriters in Seattle – Monthly Showcase” from 7:30-9:30 p.m., featuring Jillian Graham, Eric Madis, Val D’Alessio, and Dan Rowe. Free; food and drink for sale.
The Phinney Neighborhood Association hosts its annual Winter Festival & Crafts Fair from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, at 6532 Phinney Ave. N. Do your Christmas shopping at 120 juried crafts booths, plus there’s live entertainment on two stages, a quilt raffle and a huge bake sale. (PhinneyWood is a sponsor of the Winter Festival.)
Just over the neighborhood line in Ballard, the 6th Annual Soulumination Artists’ Holiday Sale is from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and 12-5 p.m. Sunday, at 5201 11th Ave. NW. Thirty-five artists will donate 25 percent of their proceeds to Soulumination, which provides professional photographs of children and parents facing life-threatening conditions illnesses.
Cancer Lifeline, at 6522 Fremont Ave. N., hosts it’s “It Takes a Village Potluck” from 12-3 p.m. Saturday. “A holiday potluck celebrating community and gratitude. Bring a savory or sweet dish to share.”
The Shop Agora, 6417-A Phinney Ave. N., is celebrating its fourth birthday with a special wine tasting from 1-5 p.m. Saturday at its Phinney location, and from 2-6 p.m. at its new Capitol Hill location, 346 15th Ave. E.
Sakya Monastery of Tibetan Buddhism is having its Annual Holiday Sale from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, at 108 NW 83rd St. Tibetan vendors will be selling statues, prayer flags, incense, art prints, books, photos of the Dalai Lama, CDs, prayer beads, jewelry, 2011 Himalayan art calendars, charms and clothing. At 12 p.m., take a free tour of the Shrine Room with its traditional Tibetan murals, sculptures, mandalas and triple life-sized golden Buddha statue.
Some members of the Occupy Seattle movement will speak at St. John United Lutheran, 5515 Phinney Ave. N., at 12 p.m. Sunday. Rev. Carol Jensen says the church will serve soup and discuss how it might relate to the movement. Everyone is welcome.
MKG Seattle, a martial arts studio formerly located in Greenwood and now at Northgate, is hosting a Middle Eastern Dance Workshop Benefit for Ruby Smith (daughter of Couth Buzzard Books co-owner Theo Dzielak), who was diagnosed with lymphoma in August. The benefit is from 1-2:30 p.m. Sunday at 10722 5th Ave. NE. Middle Eastern Dance performer Elisa Gamal will lead the workshop, with live music from Hejira.